Content enhancement based on contextual data within a feed

Abstract

A system and method for enhancing content feeds is described. One embodiment includes receiving a request for a content feed available from a feed provider and retrieving the content feed from the feed provider. In addition, one or more enhanced-content files that are related to the content feed are located from among a plurality of enhanced-content files. Content from one or more of the enhanced-content files is then inserted in the content feed so as to create an enhanced-content feed, and the enhanced content feed is provided to a consumer.

Description

PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims priority from to commonly owned and assigned application No. 60 / 691,030, filed Jun. 16, 2005, Attorney Docket No. MODY-002 / 00US, entitled CONTENT INSERTION BASED ON CONTEXTUAL DATA WITHIN AN XML FEED, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to software tools for accessing content, and more particularly to software tools for enhancing web-based content. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Millions of web pages are available as a source of content for users of the Internet. These web pages take many forms, including, for example, articles, blurbs, and web logs (“blogs”), among others. To facilitate dissemination of information,“feeds” have been developed as a way to publish content in a structured format that facilitates identification and analysis. A feed (also known as a “news feed” or “blog feed”) can contain items (e.g., news items), metadata (e.g., tags) about the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Although feeds have made it easier to access content, the content presented in the feed is often aesthetically one-dimensional because feed providers may not have the resources and / or desire to incorporate additional content into their feeds. In addition, many feed providers are unable to track usage of links in their feeds, and as a consequence, are unable to determine how effective or popular the content distributed by their feed is. Moreover, many feed providers do not have a viable avenue for obtaining revenue (e.g., from advertisers) in connection with making content available with their feeds. In short, present systems are functional, but they are not sufficiently efficient or otherwise satisfactory. Accordingly, a system and method are needed to address the shortfalls of present technology and to provide other new and innovative features.

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

[0007] The present invention can provide a system and method for enhancing content feeds. One embodiment includes receiving a request for a content feed that is made available from a feed provider and retrieving the content feed from the feed provider. In addition, one or more enhanced-content files that are related to the content feed are located from among a plurality of enhanced-content files. Content from one or more of the enhanced-content files is then merged with the content feed so as to create an enhanced-content feed, and the enhanced content feed is provided to a consumer.

[0008] As previously stated, the above-described embodiments and implementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easily recognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptions and claims.

Problems solved by technology

Although feeds have made it easier to access content, the content presented in the feed is often aesthetically one-dimensional because feed providers may not have the resources and / or desire to incorporate additional content into their feeds.

In addition, many feed providers are unable to track usage of links in their feeds, and as a consequence, are unable to determine how effective or popular the content distributed by their feed is.

Moreover, many feed providers do not have a viable avenue for obtaining revenue (e.g., from advertisers) in connection with making content available with their feeds.

In short, present systems are functional, but they are not sufficiently efficient or otherwise satisfactory.

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